M.C. Canfield & Sons was a lead solder and babbit metal manufacturer that operated a lead smelter from 1907 until 1974 at 93 Wilsey Street and 196 Newark Street in Newark, NJ. M.C. Canfield & Sons sold the property to Salem Trucking on March 8, 1974 and, according to historical records, was foreclosed on by the City of Newark on September 28, 1976. On December 31, 1993, the City of Newark transferred ownership of the property to K. Hovnanian at Newark Urban Renewal Corporation II, Inc. (“K. Hovnanian”). Ownership of a number of other surrounding lots were also transferred to K. Hovnanian and all were developed as a part of the Society Hill at University Heights condominium complex.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) performed initial sampling at the Site on March 25, 2012 to determine if lead contamination associated with past smelting operations was present in the soil above New Jersey’s Soil Remediation Standard of 400 ppm. Nine soil samples were collected from five locations near the former M.C. Canfield & Sons facility. Elevated levels of lead were found in the soil ranging from 753 (parts per million) ppm to 4,860 ppm. Based on the elevated lead levels found, the NJDEP referred the Site to EPA on May 9, 2012 for further investigation.
EPA conducted two rigorous sampling efforts to assess the nature and extent of the lead contamination at the Site. The Phase 1 investigation was conducted in August of 2012 and was focused on determining the extent of contamination and eligibility for an EPA cleanup action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Phase 2 sampling investigation was conducted during April and May of 2013 and was focused on further delineation of the lead contamination in the areas shown to be contaminated during Phase 1. Results from Phase 2 were used to determine an appropriate scope and approach for a cleanup action.
Over 1,000 samples were collected from the top two feet of soil during EPA’s investigations. Lead was found ranging from background levels (average background is approximately 220 ppm) up to 13,000 ppm in the top 2 feet of soil. Due to the elevated concentrations of lead found at the Site, a CERCLA Time-Critical removal action was initiated in June 2014 to mitigate the health threat associated with potential exposure to lead contaminated soils at the Site.
Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in industrial products, paint, solder used in plumbing, and in other products found in and around our homes. Lead exposure affects the nervous system and can cause severe health effects, ranging from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures. Children six years and younger are most at risk.
Exposure to lead in soil can occur when contaminated dirt is ingested or by breathing or swallowing lead contaminated dust.
